Passenger airbag mounting apparatus

Abstract

An airbag assembly is described. The airbag assembly includes an airbag housed within an airbag housing and an airbag inflator. A B-ring that engages the airbag housing is also added. The B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a lateral and vertical direction. The airbag assembly may optionally include a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure. The second stabilizing bracket may be secured to the vehicle bracket.

1. An airbag assembly comprising:
 an airbag housed within an airbag housing; 
 an inflator; and 
 a B-ring that engages the airbag housing, the B-ring comprising a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket, and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface, at least one of the first stabilizing bracket and the second stabilizing bracket have a flange disposed at the far end of such stabilizing bracket, the flange disposed substantially parallel to base surface and wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets restrict movement of the airbag housing in a vertical and lateral direction. 
 
   
   
     2. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1  further comprising a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure, wherein the second stabilizing bracket is secured to the vehicle bracket. 
   
   
     3. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1  further comprising a protective cover that covers the airbag, wherein the protective cover engages the base surface. 
   
   
     4. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of holes positioned around the periphery of the base surface; and 
 one or more housing panels added to the airbag housing, wherein the housing panels comprise one or more holes, wherein the holes on the housing panel align with the holes on the base surface. 
 
   
   
     5. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the first stabilizing bracket abuts a first lateral surface of the housing and the second stabilizing bracket abuts a second lateral surface of the housing. 
   
   
     6. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the first stabilizing bracket connects to the inflator. 
   
   
     7. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1  further comprising an additional stabilizing bracket positioned adjacent to the second stabilizing bracket, wherein the additional stabilizing bracket abuts a second lateral surface of the housing. 
   
   
     8. The airbag assembly as in  claim 7  wherein the additional stabilizing bracket and the second stabilizing bracket are each connected to the inflator. 
   
   
     9. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1  further comprising one or more hooks that are positioned around the periphery of the base surface. 
   
   
     10. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the B-ring is stamped from a single piece of material, wherein the first stabilizing bracket and the second stabilizing bracket are folded so that they extend away from the base surface. 
   
   
     11. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the B-ring is molded into a configuration so that the first stabilizing bracket and the second stabilizing bracket extend away from the base surface. 
   
   
     12. The airbag assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the base surface, the first stabilizing bracket, and the second stabilizing bracket were individually formed and then attached together. 
   
   
     13. A B-ring designed for use in an airbag assembly, the B-ring comprising:
 a base surface; 
 a first stabilizing bracket that extends away from the base surface, wherein the first stabilizing bracket has a first flange disposed at the far end of the first stabilizing bracket, the first flange being disposed substantially parallel to the base surface and is constructed to engage and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a vertical direction and a lateral direction; and 
 a second stabilizing bracket extend away from the base surface, wherein the second stabilizing bracket has a second flange disposed at the far end of the second stabilizing bracket, the second flange being disposed substantially parallel to the base surface and is constructed to engage and restrict movement of the airbag housing in the lateral and vertical direction. 
 
   
   
     14. The B-ring as in  claim 13  wherein the first stabilizing bracket is constructed to attach to an inflator. 
   
   
     15. The B-ring as in  claim 13  wherein the B-ring further comprises an additional stabilizing bracket. 
   
   
     16. A method for mounting an airbag assembly to a vehicle structure, the airbag assembly comprising an airbag housing, an airbag, and an inflator, the method comprising:
 installing the airbag into the airbag housing; 
 engaging the airbag housing with a B-ring, wherein the B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket, and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and have at least one flange disposed at the far end of at least one of the first and second stabilizing brackets, the flange being disposed substantially parallel to the base surface and; 
 attaching the inflator to either the first stabilizing bracket or the second stabilizing bracket; and 
 attaching the B-ring to a vehicle bracket. 
 
   
   
     17. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the vehicle bracket is attached to the second stabilizing bracket. 
   
   
     18. A method as in  claim 16  further comprising the steps of:
 obtaining the airbag and the housing; 
 installing the airbag and the housing into the B-ring; and 
 folding the airbag so that it fits within the housing. 
 
   
   
     19. A method as in  claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises a label.